Mobile Phones and Reels Hampering Youth Creativity and Outdoor Activities

In recent years, mobile phones and short-form video platforms like Instagram and Facebook Reels have become an integral part of daily life, especially among teenagers and young adults. However, concerns are growing that this increasing screen time is taking a toll on creativity.

Students and young people, once engaged in hobbies like painting, writing, reading, and outdoor play, are now spending more time scrolling through endless streams of short videos. These platforms, designed for quick consumption, offer instant entertainment but often discourage original thinking and long-term focus.

Many schools have reported a decline in students’ participation in creative activities such as essay writing, debates, and art competitions. Teachers have also noted a drop in attention spans and critical thinking abilities in classrooms.

Across cities and towns, public spaces like libraries and parks see fewer young visitors. Instead, young people are often seen glued to their screens, recreating trending Reels or browsing viral content.

While mobile phones are essential tools for communication and information, their overuse for entertainment is raising questions about the future of innovation and imagination in the younger generation.

As the digital world continues to grow, the challenge remains—can creativity survive in the age of constant scrolling?